Page 40 - Lohgarh

40 w Lohgarh : The World’s Largest Fort

forces led by a Hindu feudal and a Mughal general of Doaba zone. Karam
Chand was succeeded by Mandhata Parkash (ruled 1630-1654). He had
friendly relations with Guru Hargobind and his successor Guru Har Rai
(1631- 1661). In 1645, when Tara Chand, the ruler of Kehloor State stopped
paying tax to the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, the latter ordered his arrest.
The Guru tried to convince Tara Chand to negotiate but he remained
adamant; hence the Guru left Keeratpur and moved to Thapal (in the old
state of Nahan/Sirmaur, in Lohgarh zone). According to Maubad Zulfiqar
Ardastani, Guru Har Rai stayed in this village from 1645 to 1656-57 (about
13 years). Mandhata Parkash was succeeded by Saubhag Parkash (ruled
1654-1664) and Budh Parkash (ruled 1664-1684). Budh Parkash was very
friendly with Guru Tegh Bahadur. In 1684, he died and Mat Parkash (ruled
1684-1704) became the ruler of Sirmaur State. In Sikh sources, he is
mentioned as Medni Parkash. It was Medni Parkash, who, in 1685, invited
Guru Gobind Singh and requested him to establish his headquarters in
his state. Eventually Guru Gobind Singh founded the city of Paonta Sahib
and stayed there from April 1685 to 27 October 1688.
Mat Parkash (Medni Parkash) was succeeded by his minor son Bijay
Parkash (Mughal records mention his name as Bhup Parkash). He joined
Banda Singh in his fight against the Mughals, as a result, he was arrested
and imprisoned in Salimgarh Fort at Delhi from 1710 to 1711. After this
he secured his release by joining the Mughal authorities in their struggle
against the Sikhs.
2. There are three village by the name of Machchrouli in Haryana , one in
Tahsil Samalkha, Tahsil Bilaspur and Tahsil Jajjar, all making referencess
and relationship with Bhai Lakhi Rai Vanjara.
3. A Manji was also established by 3rd Guru Amar Das Ji, at Nahan, the name
of the Manji was Gangushahi Manji. This area is just 50 kms from Yamuna
Nagar. It is very clear that the present district of Sirmaur (old Nahan estate)
and the district Yamuna Nagar ( pargana of Khizrabad and Mustafabad)
was a great Sikhism influenced area.
4. Lakhi Rai Vanjara is also known as Lakhi Shah (Rai in Hindustani and Shah
in Persian, both mean ‘king’).
5. The place is now situated in the district of Rampur, division Muradabad
(Uttar Pradesh). Some part of this place is in the state of Uttrakhand.
6. Moti Lal Rathore, Vanjara Community (Hindi), p. 121.
7. Johnson Gordon, Bayly, C. A. (editors). The Mughal Empire. The New
Cambridge History of India: 1.5. I. The Mughals and their Contemporaries.